Eleven new games join OpenFeint army (Also: enter to win their holiday giveaway)

OpenFeint -- the gaming network that lets you compete against your friends on other platforms -- has added 11 new titles to its roster. They are (and links to go AppBrain, if available, or you can find them in OpenFeint's Game Spotlight app.):

That makes 158 or so games that are now OpenFeint-enabled. And if you download any of the above games between Dec. 23 and Dec. 25, you'll be entered to win one of two gift cards, or a Barnes & Noble Nook Color. Not too shabby.

Gameloft's Hero of Sparta free today

Just like I predicted earlier this month, Gameloft is offering up another one of their high quality Android games -- Hero of Sparta -- absolutely free. But you gotta act quick, because the giveaway ends in less than 24 hours.

Featuring eight levels to explore in full 3D, Hero of Sparta provides an excellent action/adventure experience on your Android phone. It's not available in the market, so you'll have to hit this page to see if your device is compatible, and begin your free download.

While you're over there, make sure you check out some of their other HD Android titles. Most (possibly all) of their games come with a trial version that can be unlocked for $4.99.

Nexus S now available in the UK from Carphone Warehouse

Samsung's Nexus S is now available to purchase from the Carphone Warehouse. Customers considering the "Pure Google" experience can get one for £429 sans contract and free with a variety of contracts to choose from (lowest being £30/month).

The phone can now be bought through Best Buy or Carphone Warehouse if you're considering picking one up. [Carphone Warehouse]

Motorola updates Android OS roadmap; some of you won't like it

Motorola has updated its Android software upgrade news page, and it's not pretty. Besides no mention of Gingerbread for the Droid X (say yes Moto, you have to), there's a slew of lower-end handsets that look to be stuck on Android 1.6 (or even 1.5 in the case of the Wal-Mart StraightTalk Cliq XT), and the T-Mobile branded Cliq XT has had it's upgrade date pushed back for additional testing.

It's worth noting that Moto's newer Android offerings aren't even listed on this page, so we don't really expect any Gingerbread news at this point. It is pretty disheartening to see phones with capable hardware being held back though, and we don't like any more than you do. [Motorola Android Software Upgrade News; Motorola official Cliq XT support] Thanks, Tim,!

Lloyd shows up on a Camaro in Forza 3

We've seen him in Kuwait, we've seen him atop a Christmas tree, and now Lloyd's been spotted on a Chevy Camaro in the Forza 3 racing game. Looks pretty darn good to us. And if anybody wants to actually build us that car, we'll be more than happy to drive it. You listening, Chevy?

What we do know thus far about the EVO Shift 4G is that it will likely sport an 800 MHz processor and have a QWERTY sliding keyboard. It will be similar in many ways to the HTC Desire Z and the T-Mobile G2.

When this device will release is still up in the air, but the rumors have pointed to January. Stay tuned as more info is likely to leak in the coming weeks. [Phone Arena]

Did the HTC Incredible HD (aka HTC Mecha) just appear for its close-up? (Update: More pics show up)

What do you get when you have a power button, front-facing camera, speaker grille and battery door slot? A close-up of a smartphone, that's for sure, which is just what showed up in our inbox. And this is looking a whole heck of a lot like the HTC Mecha (aka Incredible HD) pictures we published a month or so ago. Could it be something else? Some sort of Windows Phone 7 device? Sure. But it definitely looks like HTC fare, and it definitely looks like the Mecha to us.

We've got one other picture after the break that is a decent macro shot of the screen bezel and what probably is a volume rocker. It's a mystery, for sure. Thanks, anon!

Update:The plot thickens, as Engadget and Slashgear were fed some of the close-ups, too. Coincidence? Hell, no. Peep 'em after the break.

iGloLEDset brings the future of interactive lighting and lighter wallets to Android

If you are the type who just can't resist gadgets that have the extra bit of cool factor, and have US $299 to blow on some (I know you're out there), you have to check out iGloLEDset now that it's come to the Android platform. Imagine a WiFi-enabled set of rope lights, that you can control in real time from your phone, swiping and pressing to control the colors and blink rate. It does sound really cool, but I'm not quite sold on MEA Mobile's idea that light switches are now obsolete and there will soon be an entire industry dedicated to their safe removal from walls everywhere.

For those who haven't already rushed to order their very own set for you holiday decorations, we have MEA Mobile's press release and a demo video after the break.

Sprint's 4G lighting up the San Francisco Bay Area on Dec. 28

Bay Area Sprint subscribers toting a 4G phone will receive a nice holiday treat on Dec. 28, as Sprint continues its 4G rollout. Idle 4G radios within the San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and Silicon Valley areas can finally come to life and start sucking down bandwidth faster than ever before.

Sprint offered tips on how their subscribers can take advantage of the higher network throughput a 4G connection provides. Promoting apps such as ScanLife, Qik, Fring, Diet Watcher Cookbook, and OpenTable -- Sprint wants their current and future 4G phone owners to know they can rely on their speedy 4G connection for all their data-heavy applications.

In addition to these useful tips, Sprint also published a video that offers a brief explanation of their 4G technology and what it offers. Check it out after the jump. [Sprint]

Update: Oh, by the way, those of you in Boulder, Colo., who saw your fair city listed on Monday's release -- apparently that was in error. But seeing as how you still don't have 4G Wimax, you probably already knew that

Verizon Galaxy Tab drops to $499 sans contract at Best Buy

The Verizon version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab can now be bought for $499 off contract at Best Buy; Verizon's variant of the Tab was previously $599.

If you're thinking about the Galaxy Tab for the holidays, here are the month-to-month plans after the $499:

$20/month for 1GB

$35/month for 3GB

$50/month for 5GB

$80/month for 8GB

Even though the Tab is off contract, users must commit to the first month at least, then are allowed to cancel and use it how they please. Prices are continuing to go down, which is great for consumers. Thanks A!

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